Meyer Lemon-Infused Vodka – First Look, Then Cook

Well, the results are in, and I came in second in the Girl Scout Cookie Recipe Contest! I was hoping for first, although when I found out exactly what that meant, I have to say I am just a little relieved that I came in second. I found out last Thursday that the winner would go on television with their creation, and hand out samples to the audience – that meant 80 mini cheesecakes that I would have to make. My weekend was already booked baking for an auction, so I must say I was a little stressed about the whole thing. As much as I like to win, that really would have set me over the edge. Now my team will have enough Girl Scout Cookies to snack on to last a year – and I plan on giving half to a local shelter!! 48 boxes is a lot of Girl Scout Cookies. Thanks everyone who voted – there is always next year!

My pantry…it is my favorite room in the house. When we decided to build a house almost 9 years ago, I remember talking to the architect about the kitchen and the fact that I needed to have a pantry. I wasn’t sure at that point why I needed one so badly, I just did. When my kids were young, it was like a play room for them, they would close the door and play with everything inside. It provided hours of entertainment. Now that they are older, I am starting to fill the pantry with all sorts of fun stuff – especially glass jars. I bought these Weck Jars recently, and I am in love. They are beautiful, functional, and makes me want to fill them with beautiful and colorful things. My kids don’t eat a lot of candy, which is why we always have a lot lying around from birthday parties, Halloween, and baking. Once I ran out of candy, my mind went to infusions. I had a bunch of Meyer lemons in the refrigerator that I wasn’t sure what to do with, and it hit me. Meyer Lemon-Infused Vodka – perfect for cocktails. I found a recipe from the Martha Stewart website, and in less than 15 minutes the infusion began. I still have another week or so before I can test it out, but it looks wonderful, and in a few days, the vodka has already begun to take on a nice yellow color.

You can find these jars online – they are selling them everywhere these days. So, I just have to ask – what’s in your pantry?